Iowa (IO) Lottery
Legislation creating Iowa's lottery was signed into law in April 1985 and the lottery began sales on Aug. 22, 1985, with a kickoff celebration at the Iowa State Fair.
The first game sold by the Iowa Lottery was an instant-scratch product called "Scratch, Match and Win" and players bought more than 6.4 million tickets during the first week of play.
In the years since, the Iowa Lottery has raised more than $1 billion dollars for state programs while awarding more than $2 billion in prizes to players. Sometime in March 2006, an Iowa Lottery player purchased the ticket that helped push lottery profits to state programs over that $1 billion threshold.
Lottery profits have helped the state in a variety of ways through the years. When legislation authorizing the Iowa Lottery was signed into law in 1985, lottery profits were earmarked for the Iowa Plan, a long-term economic development program.
In 1991, lottery profits were designated for environmental and cultural programs. But after one year, all lottery proceeds were directed to the state general fund. Most lottery revenues have continued to go to the general fund since that time. More than 60 percent of the money in the general fund goes to Iowa's public K-12 schools and higher education. Other programs that receive money from the general fund include justice programs, health and human services and agricultural programs.
The Lottery also provides a portion of its revenues to the state Gambling Treatment Program, which administers the 1-800-BETSOFF helpline for those concerned about program gambling. Through the years, the lottery has provided more than $12 million in funding to the gambling treatment program.
Iowa (IO) Lottery Winners
Kathleen Winter won $250,000 for playing "$250,000 Luck of the Draw". She purchased her Scratch card at M Liquor, 109 Fifth St, Sibley
Jim Wallace won $50,000 for playing "Twice Lucky". He purchased his scratch card at at Casey's, 202 Highway 18, Clear Lake
Ten South O'Brien Teachers won $200,000 for playing Powerball. They purchased their ticket at at Country Corner, 222 N Clark St, Paullina
Dorothy Bales won $50,000 for playing "High Roller". She purchased her Scratch Card at at Git-N-Go, 4164 Easton Blvd, Des Moines
Click here for a comprehensive list of Iowa Lottery winners.
Iowa (IO) Lottery Games
- Powerball
- Hot Lotto
- Pick 3
- Pick 4
- $100,000 Cash Game
- Scratch Games
- Pull-Tabs